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A Visitor's Guide to Hell: A Manual for Temporary Entrants and Those Who Would Prefer to Avoid Eternal Damnation
Here's everything you ever wanted to know about Hell . . . but were too afraid to ask! In the realm of eternal damnation, what tortures will we find? How hot is it, really? And most important of all, how can we make sure that it's not our final destination? Drawing on the Bible, as well as a host of other literary and religious sources, an expert on Scripture provides an illuminating look at Hell—from its occupants to its don't-miss sites. Dr. Clint Archer offers a thought-provoking, learned, at-times-hilarious guide to a place that might be interesting to visit . . . but you wouldn't want to live there!
160 pages, Hardcover
First published October 7, 2014
9 people are currently reading
32 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
January 29, 2016
Although a difficult and heavy subject, this book was provocative, insightful, biblical, and even light-hearted. I found it to be very helpful. And the two-page conclusion made me thankful for Christ and zealous to proclaim the Gospel.
August 17, 2014
The blurb promoting the book is rather more exciting than any of the writing...
February 16, 2015
Not at all what I expected. Very disappointed. Unless you're looking for Bible quotes and explorations thereof, don't bother.
September 3, 2019
What makes this book good is also what makes it 4 stars instead of 5. It simply reports what the Bible says about Hell. That is by no means a bad thing but I was expecting more artistic license. It's probably better that the author did not go that route. Those with little Bible background will hopefully be frightened by the prospect of Hell as described. Very informative and thorough. One correction: Amy Grant did not sing the song "Heaven is a place on earth", that was Belinda Carlisle.
May 13, 2020
pretty interesting, the first thing that has actually given me some insight into why people are actually christian (with the exception of european churches)
April 18, 2025
Solid look at the Bible’s view of the afterlife. This is not a narrative about a trip to hell, instead it is a recounting of hell and heaven as the Bible explains it. It is clear and well done
August 8, 2016
One doctrine upon which almost all religions agree throughout history is hell. They may not agree about the details, but they agree that there is a hell. In A Visitor’s Guide to Hell: A Manual for Temporary Entrants and Those Who Would Prefer to Avoid Eternal Damnation, Clint Archer describes what we can know about it.
I’ll say up front, I don’t know how to do this book justice. I had started writing a review while reading it (aloud to my husband). Then last night, after the last chapter and conclusion, my husband and I were speechless for a couple of minutes. You need to read this book! But please don’t read the end first. At only 141 pages in eight short chapters, you won’t have to wait long.
To write about hell, Dr. Archer bases his observations on the Bible, not ideas from philosophy and religions. He reasons that Jesus is the Authority on the topic. No one else has the knowledge or resources to know what they’re talking about. A few people claim to have been there and come back, but Jesus said that once you’re there you can’t escape. So we have no eye witnesses on earth, not in all of history. In contrast, Archer quotes verse after verse from the Bible to back what he writes with the testimony of the One who made hell.
Dr. Archer treats this hot topic respectfully while applying a few cold packs of humor to cool and lighten the atmosphere, at least for the reader on earth, starting with the table of contents. Here is a sampling to ignite your interest:
Introduction: Raising Hell
To Hell and Back: Who Has the T-shirt?
Downtown Abyss: Learning the Lay of the Land
The Gated Community: Hell’s Population
Dead-End Streets: How to Go to Hell
The Great Escape: Rescued from Hell
Starting with Jesus’ story of the rich man and Lazarus, Archer then weaves that story throughout the book. It effectively engages the reader personally and practically. The rich man was surprised that he landed in hell. He couldn’t get out. He couldn’t even warn his family. What a cost for his lack of understanding about hell!
Archer mentions some common misconceptions about hell. One is that Satan is the head honcho there. What does the Bible say about that and other misconceptions? If you don’t know, Clint provides quotes of Scripture for you so you can see for yourself what the truth is.
All people begin life on the road to hell but, like the rich man, most don’t believe they’ll arrive. How do they think to avoid or escape it? In most cases, people take one of three avenues, all of which lead to the same surprise the rich man received. We all like to think we’re the exception. To find out if you’re on one of those “Dead-End Streets” read the book.
For those who want to avoid the heat, Archer tells you the Bible’s solution. How is God’s grace applied to us? Only Jesus is perfectly righteous and only He can rescue the sinner from hell. How? Read all about it in “The Great Escape: Rescued from Hell.”
Finally, there is a chapter on heaven and it is...well, heavenly! One Person especially makes it so. What a bright reprieve that chapter is. I hope that all readers of this post are rescued in “The Great Escape” so as to arrive safely in heaven.
My husband and I read A Visitor’s Guide together. Of all the crazy things to do, we read it at bedtime. Just before you close your peepers for sleep may not be the best time to scorch your mind with hell, but do read the book. It provides an unearthly tour from the horrors of hell to the heights of heaven and back. As you travel, you keep bumping into the poor rich man. Consider what he says. Don’t be in a hurry. Let each chapter simmer in your thoughts.
Finally, read chapter 8 and the conclusion in one sitting. The contrast is profitably sobering.
I’ll say up front, I don’t know how to do this book justice. I had started writing a review while reading it (aloud to my husband). Then last night, after the last chapter and conclusion, my husband and I were speechless for a couple of minutes. You need to read this book! But please don’t read the end first. At only 141 pages in eight short chapters, you won’t have to wait long.
To write about hell, Dr. Archer bases his observations on the Bible, not ideas from philosophy and religions. He reasons that Jesus is the Authority on the topic. No one else has the knowledge or resources to know what they’re talking about. A few people claim to have been there and come back, but Jesus said that once you’re there you can’t escape. So we have no eye witnesses on earth, not in all of history. In contrast, Archer quotes verse after verse from the Bible to back what he writes with the testimony of the One who made hell.
Dr. Archer treats this hot topic respectfully while applying a few cold packs of humor to cool and lighten the atmosphere, at least for the reader on earth, starting with the table of contents. Here is a sampling to ignite your interest:
Introduction: Raising Hell
To Hell and Back: Who Has the T-shirt?
Downtown Abyss: Learning the Lay of the Land
The Gated Community: Hell’s Population
Dead-End Streets: How to Go to Hell
The Great Escape: Rescued from Hell
Starting with Jesus’ story of the rich man and Lazarus, Archer then weaves that story throughout the book. It effectively engages the reader personally and practically. The rich man was surprised that he landed in hell. He couldn’t get out. He couldn’t even warn his family. What a cost for his lack of understanding about hell!
Archer mentions some common misconceptions about hell. One is that Satan is the head honcho there. What does the Bible say about that and other misconceptions? If you don’t know, Clint provides quotes of Scripture for you so you can see for yourself what the truth is.
All people begin life on the road to hell but, like the rich man, most don’t believe they’ll arrive. How do they think to avoid or escape it? In most cases, people take one of three avenues, all of which lead to the same surprise the rich man received. We all like to think we’re the exception. To find out if you’re on one of those “Dead-End Streets” read the book.
For those who want to avoid the heat, Archer tells you the Bible’s solution. How is God’s grace applied to us? Only Jesus is perfectly righteous and only He can rescue the sinner from hell. How? Read all about it in “The Great Escape: Rescued from Hell.”
Finally, there is a chapter on heaven and it is...well, heavenly! One Person especially makes it so. What a bright reprieve that chapter is. I hope that all readers of this post are rescued in “The Great Escape” so as to arrive safely in heaven.
My husband and I read A Visitor’s Guide together. Of all the crazy things to do, we read it at bedtime. Just before you close your peepers for sleep may not be the best time to scorch your mind with hell, but do read the book. It provides an unearthly tour from the horrors of hell to the heights of heaven and back. As you travel, you keep bumping into the poor rich man. Consider what he says. Don’t be in a hurry. Let each chapter simmer in your thoughts.
Finally, read chapter 8 and the conclusion in one sitting. The contrast is profitably sobering.
March 12, 2015
“A Visitor’s Guide to Hell” is well done, I really liked this book! It is well written, well organized & well thought out. My favorite chapter is chapter 2. Here the author reasons through why people (both believers & non-believers) believe in Hell. The philosophical reasons discussed are “spot on.” He explains that even without the Biblical revelation about Hell there is still a theological necessity for it.
The book is easy to read & can be given to a High School student or one advanced in age, both will find it profitable & engaging. It also will help believers deal with the various ideas people voice against belief in Hell by showing the rational inconsistencies of their position.
The book is easy to read & can be given to a High School student or one advanced in age, both will find it profitable & engaging. It also will help believers deal with the various ideas people voice against belief in Hell by showing the rational inconsistencies of their position.
July 6, 2016
Interesting enough it wasn't what I was expecting but still captivating. Though the quotes from the bible to get a little redundant and repeat its not that hard to skip them and keep reading. Would recommend
November 12, 2015
I enjoyed the author's humor and sarcasm - but he still gets his points across very well. Terrific little book to get you thinking about where you will spend eternity. The options are limited!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews